Foldable Post for Shelving Apparatus

ABSTRACT

A foldable post for a shelving apparatus includes an upper post member, a lower post member, and a post joint for connecting the upper and lower post members end-to-end. The post joint includes an engaging tongue extended from an end portion of the first post wall of the upper post member, an engaging groove provided at an end portion of the first post wall of the lower post member, and a pivot hinge pivotally coupled the second post walls of the upper and lower post members, such that when the upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage the engaging tongue with the engaging groove, the upper and lower post members are interlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation application that claims the benefit of priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §120 to a non-provisional application, application Ser.No. 15/047,652, filed Feb. 19, 2016 which is a Continuation-In-Partapplication that claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 toa non-provisional application, application Ser. No. 15/004,986, filedJan. 24, 2016. The afore-mentioned patent applications are herebyincorporated by reference in their entireties.

NOTICE OF COPYRIGHT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialwhich is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to any reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as itappears in the United States Patent and Trademark Office patent files orrecords, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a shelf structure, and moreparticularly to a foldable post for a shelving apparatus, wherein aplurality of post members of a foldable post can be easily assembled torigidly support a plurality of supporting frames, and can be easilydisassembled without detaching the post members.

Description of Related Arts

A conventional shelf structure comprises four vertical posts verticallyextended from four corners of the shelf structure and a plurality ofsupporting panels horizontally and spacedly coupled at the verticalposts to form a shelving unit for supporting objects. As shown in FIG.1, each vertical post comprises a plurality of tubular post members A1arranged to align end-to-end. Each of the supporting panels comprises apanel body A2 and four tubular connectors A3 provided at four corners ofthe panel body A2, wherein the end of the post member A1 is insertedinto the tubular connector A3 in order to connect the supporting panelat the vertical post. Accordingly, the configuration of the panel bodyA2 is fixed such that the size of the panel body A2 cannot be adjusted.In particular, each of the tubular connectors A3 has an upper taperedslot at an upper portion of the tubular connector A3 and a lower taperedslot at a lower portion of the tubular connector A3. Therefore, the endportions of two post members A1 are respectively inserted into the upperand lower tapered slots to securely connect the panel body A2 with thevertical posts while the vertical post are aligned end-to-end. Suchtubular detachable connecting structure provides a quick assemblingoperation to allow the user to set up the shelving unit easily. However,after the objects are loaded and supported by the shelving unit, theoverall weight of the objects will exerted to the vertical posts via thesupporting panel. In other words, the end portions of two post membersA1 are secured at the upper and lower tapered slots of the tubularconnector A3, such that the user may require relatively larger pullingforce to detach the post members A1 from the tubular connectors A3. Inaddition, when one of the tubular connectors A3 is broken or damaged,the supporting panels cannot be securely coupled to the vertical postsany more. In fact, in order to enhance the rigidity of the shelvingunit, the structure of tubular connectors A3 must be enhanced by usingrigid material such a metal or by thickening the walls of the upper andlower tapered slots of the tubular connector A3. Therefore, the materialcost of the shelving unit will be substantially high and the size of theshelving unit will be enlarged. Therefore, most users will not use thisconventional shelf structure in shopping centers or in the boothsbecause the shelf structure is required to assemble and disassemble andis required to move from places to places.

An improved shelf structure is provided to enhance the storage space byreducing the size of the post connection, as shown in FIG. 2, whereinthe shelf structure comprises four vertical posts each comprising aplurality of L-shaped post members B1 and a plurality of couplers B2 forcoupling the post members B1 end-to-end. Each of the couplers B2comprises has a corresponding L-shaped coupler flange B21 and tworeverse bend flanges B22 extended along two edges of the coupler flangeB21, wherein a gap is formed between the reverse bend flange B22 and thecoupler flange B21, such that the end portions of two post members B1are inserted into the gap of the coupler B2 to couple the post membersB1 end-to-end. In other words, two post members B1 in an abutting aresecured by the coupler B2 by downwardly inserting the end portion of theupper post member B1 into the gap of the coupler B2 and by upwardlyinserting the end portion of the lower post member B1 into the gap ofthe coupler B2. In addition, each of the couplers B2 has a detent B23 oneach of the reverse bend flanges B22 to frictionally engage with thepost member B1 so as to retain the coupler B2 in position. Since thecross section of the coupler B2 matches with the cross section of thepost member B1, the connection between the ends of the post members B1can be substantially reduced its size. The L-shaped detachableconnecting structure provides a quick assembling operation to allow theuser to set up the shelving unit easily. However, due to the frictionalengagement between the end portion of the post member B1 and the couplerB2, the user may not able to correctly insert the end portion of thepost member B1 into the gap of the coupler B2. It is unstable for theshelf structure when the end portion of the post member B1 cannot befully inserted into the gap of the coupler B2. The excessive insertingforce of the end portion of the post member B1 will damage the structureof the coupler B2 and will enlarge the size of the gap thereof. Afterthe shelving unit is set up, the reverse bend flanges B22 are located atthe outer surface of post member B1, such that the user may get cut orscratched by the reverse bend flanges B22 when placing the objects.Furthermore, such shaped detachable connecting structure cannot solvethe same problem of how to easily disassemble the shelving unit. Inother words, after the objects are loaded and supported by the shelvingunit, the overall weight of the objects will exerted to the verticalposts via the couplers B2. In other words, the end portions of two postmembers B1 are secured at the gaps of the couplers B2, such that theuser may require relatively larger pulling force to detach the postmembers B1 from the couplers B2. Once the gap is enlarged by theexcessive detaching force, the end portions of the post members B1cannot be securely engaged with the coupler B2 by means of frictionalforce. The overall structure of the shelving unit become wobble andunstable. In addition, when one of the couplers B2 is lost or damaged,the post members B1 cannot be coupled end-to-end any more.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The invention is advantageous in that it provides a foldable post for ashelving apparatus, wherein the post members can be easily assembled torigidly support a plurality of supporting frames, and can be easilydisassembled without detaching the post members.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable post for ashelving apparatus, wherein the post members are pivotally coupled witheach other end-to-end to enhance the assembling/disassembling operationof the foldable post.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable post for ashelving apparatus, wherein the post members are coupled with each othervia tongue-and-groove engagement to ensure the rigidity of the foldablepost.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable post for ashelving apparatus, wherein two engaging tongues are extended from theend portions of the upper and lower post members to interlock and couplewith each other to ensure the rigidity of the foldable post.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable post for ashelving apparatus, wherein the post locker is provided for locking up apivot connection between the post members to ensure the post members tobe locked end-to-end.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable post for ashelving apparatus, which does not require to alter the originalstructural design of the shelf structure, so as to minimize themanufacturing cost of the shelving apparatus incorporating with thefoldable post.

Another advantage of the invention is to provide a foldable post for ashelving apparatus, wherein no expensive or complicated structure isrequired to employ in the present invention in order to achieve theabove mentioned objects. Therefore, the present invention successfullyprovides an economic and efficient solution for providing a rigidconfiguration for the foldable post of the shelving apparatus.

Additional advantages and features of the invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows, and may be realized by means of theinstrumentalities and combinations particular point out in the appendedclaims.

According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects andadvantages are attained by a foldable post for a shelving apparatus,comprising an upper post member, a lower post member, and a post jointfor connecting the upper and lower post members end-to-end.

Each of the upper and lower post members having a first post wall and asecond post wall extended from the first wall at an angle.

The post joint comprises an engaging tongue extended from an end portionof the first post wall of the upper post member, an engaging grooveprovided at an end portion of the first post wall of the lower postmember, and a pivot hinge pivotally coupled the second post walls of theupper and lower post members, such that when the upper and lower postmembers are pivotally moved to engage the engaging tongue with theengaging groove, the upper and lower post members are interlocked andcoupled with each other end-to-end.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the presentinvention comprises a foldable post for a shelving apparatus, comprisingan upper post member, a lower post member, and a post joint forconnecting the upper and lower post members end-to-end.

The post joint comprises a first engaging tongue extended from an endportion of the upper post member, a second engaging tongue extended froman end position of the lower post member, and a pivot hinge pivotallycoupled the upper and lower post members, such that when the upper andlower post members are pivotally moved to engage the first engagingtongue with the lower post member and to engage the second engagingtongue with the upper post member, the upper and lower post members areinterlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end.

Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from aconsideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a first conventional shelf structure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a second conventional shelf structure.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shelving apparatus according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the shelving apparatusaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a post joint of the shelvingapparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the post joint of the shelvingapparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating the post members being interlocked end-to-end.

FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the post joint of the shelvingapparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating the folded post members.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate an alternative mode of the post joint ofshelving apparatus according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 a perspective view of a shelving apparatus according to a secondpreferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the foldable post of the shelvingapparatus according to the above second embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9A is a sectional view illustrating the engagement between thefastener and keyhole of the foldable post of the shelving apparatusaccording to the above second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a partially perspective view of the shelving apparatusaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention toillustrate the structural configuration of the shelving apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following description is disclosed to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the present invention. Preferred embodiments areprovided in the following description only as examples and modificationswill be apparent to those skilled in the art. The general principlesdefined in the following description would be applied to otherembodiments, alternatives, modifications, equivalents, and applicationswithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 3 to 7, a shelving apparatus according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention is illustrated, wherein the shelvingapparatus comprises a supporting frame 10 and a plurality of foldableposts 20 for detachably coupling with the supporting frames 10.

According to the preferred embodiment, the supporting frame 10 isincorporated with one or more shelf supporting beam configurations andis supported by the foldable posts 20 in a horizontally oriented mannerfor supporting one or more objects on the supporting frame 10.

In one embodiment, each of the shelf supporting beam configurations ofthe supporting frame 10 comprises a shelf platform 11 and a plurality ofshelf retaining members 12. Each of the shelf retaining members 12 isdetachably coupled with two of the foldable posts 20 via at least afastener, such that the shelf retaining members 12 form a boundary frameto support the shelf platform 11 therewithin. Accordingly, two of theshelf retaining members 12 serve as a front boundary and a rear boundaryrespectively, and the other two shelf retaining members 12 serve as twoside boundaries respectively, such that the boundary frame is formed bythe front boundary, the rear boundary, and the side boundary.Preferably, a length of the front boundary matches with a length of therear boundary and the side boundaries are preferred identical in length.

Each of the foldable posts 20 is supported in a vertically orientedmanner to serve as a corner post of the shelving apparatus. In oneembodiment, at least four foldable posts 20 are provided that fourcorners of the supporting frame 10 are coupled at the foldable posts 20respectively. Each of the foldable posts 20 comprises at least an upperpost member 21, at least a lower post member 22 and at least a postjoint 30, wherein each of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 has afirst post wall 211, 221 and a second post wall 212, 222 extended fromthe first wall 211, 221 at an angle. Preferably, the first post walls211, 221 of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are perpendicularlyextended from the second post walls 212, 222 thereof. In addition, theupper post member 21 is identical to the lower post member 22. It isappreciated that the length of the upper post member 21 can be differentfrom that of the lower post member 22. A width of the first post wall211, 221 equals to a width of the second post wall 212, 222, such thateach of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 has a L-shaped crosssection. Each of the foldable posts 20 further has a plurality ofkeyholes 23 alignedly formed on the first post wall 211, 221 and thesecond post wall 212, 222 of each of the upper and lower post members21, 22. Each of the keyholes 23 has an upper hole portion 231 and alower hole portion 232, wherein a size of the upper hole portion 231 islarger than a size of the lower hole portion 232.

The post joint 30 is arranged for connecting the upper and lower postmembers 21, 22 in an end-to-end manner to form the foldable post 20,such that the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are capable of beingunfolded and extended rigidly in a vertically oriented manner when thefoldable post 20 is in an unfolded condition. Accordingly, the postjoint 30 comprises a first means provided at the upper post member 21and a second means provided at the lower post member 22 to interlock theupper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other. In particular, thepost joint 30 comprises an engaging tongue 31 extended from an endportion of the first post wall 211 of the upper post member 21, anengaging groove 32 provided at an end portion of the first post wall 221of the lower post member 22, and a pivot hinge 33 pivotally coupled thesecond post walls 212, 222 of the upper and lower post members 21, 22,such that when the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotallymoved to engage the engaging tongue 31 with the engaging groove 32, theupper and lower post members 21, 22 are interlocked and coupled witheach other end-to-end. In other words, the first and second means arethe engaging tongue 31 and the engaging groove 32 to form theinterlocking unit to interlock the upper and lower post members 21, 22with each other.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, the post joint 30 further comprises anadditional engaging groove 34 extended from an end portion of the secondpost wall 212 of the upper post member 21 adjacent to the engagingtongue 31 thereof, and an additional engaging tongue 35 provided at anend portion of the second post wall 222 of the lower post member 22adjacent to the engaging groove 32 thereof.

In other words, the engaging tongue 31 and the additional engaginggroove 35 are provided at the first post wall 211 and the second postwall 212 of the upper post member 21 respectively while the engaginggroove 32 and the additional engaging tongue 34 are provided at thefirst post wall 221 and the second post wall 222 of the lower postmember 22 respectively. Therefore, when the upper and lower post members21, 22 are pivotally moved toward each other, the engaging tongue 31 atthe first post wall 211 of the upper post member 21 will engage with theengaging groove 32 at the first post wall 221 of the lower post member22 while the additional engaging tongue 34 at the second post wall 222of the lower post member 22 will engage with the additional engaginggroove 35 at the second post wall 212 of the upper post member 22, so asto interlock the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with each otherend-to-end.

Preferably, the engaging tongue 31 is extended from an inner side of thefirst post wall 211 of the upper post member 21 and the engaging groove32 is formed at an inner side of the first post wall 221 of the lowerpost member 22. Likewise, the additional engaging tongue 34 is extendedfrom an inner side of the second post wall 222 of the lower post member22 and the additional engaging groove 35 is formed at an inner side ofthe second post wall 212 of the upper post member 21.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, the post joint 30 further comprises twocoupling sleeves 36 coupling with the end portions of the upper andlower post members 21, 22 respectively, wherein the pivot hinge 33 isformed between the coupling sleeves 36 to pivotally couple the upper andlower post members 21, 22. Each of the coupling sleeves 36 comprises afirst inner sleeve member 361 coupled at the inner side of the upperpost member 21 and a second inner sleeve member 362 coupled at the innerside of the lower post member 22. In particular, the first inner sleevemember 361 has two first inner sleeve portions 3611, 3612 coupled at theinner sides of the first and second post walls 211, 212 of the upperpost member 21 respectively, wherein one of the first inner sleeveportions 3611 is extended from the end portion of the first post wall211 of the upper post member 21 to form the engaging tongue 31 whileanother first inner sleeve portion 3612 is spaced apart from the innerside of the end portion of the second post wall 212 of the upper postmember 21 to form the additional engaging groove 35. The second innersleeve member 362 has two second inner sleeve portions 3621, 3622coupled at the inner sides of the first and second post walls 221, 222of the lower post member 22 respectively, wherein one of the secondinner sleeve portions 3621 is spaced apart from the inner side of theend portion of the first post wall 221 of the lower post member 21 toform the engaging groove 32 while another second inner sleeve portion3622 is extended from the end portion of the second post wall 222 of thelower post member 21 to form the additional engaging tongue 34. Thepivot hinge 33 is pivotally coupled between two corresponding side edgesof the first and second inner sleeve members 361, 362 in order topivotally couple the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with eachother.

According to the preferred embodiment, each of the coupling sleeves 36further comprises a first outer sleeve member 363 coupled with the firstinner sleeve member 361 to define a first sleeve cavity 365 to receivethe end portion of the upper post member 21, and a second inner sleevemember 364 coupled with the second inner sleeve member 362 to define asecond sleeve cavity 366 to receive the end portion of the lower postmember 22. Preferably, the coupling sleeves 36 are securely affixed tothe end portions of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 by weldingto ensure the secure engagement of the post joint 30 to the upper andlower post members 21, 22, as shown in FIG. 5.

It is appreciated that at least one of the engaging tongue 31 and theadditional engaging groove 35 can be formed at the first outer sleevemember 363 and one of the engaging groove 32 and the additional engagingtongue 34 can be formed at the second outer sleeve member 364. In otherwords, the post joint 30 provides a tongue-and-groove engagement,especially the interlock tongue-and-groove engagement, to ensure theupper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other end-to-end.

As shown in FIGS. 5, 6A and 6B, the post joint 30 further comprises apost locker 37 for releasebly locking the end-to-end interlocking of theupper and lower post members 21, 22 end-to-end. In particular, the postlocker 37 is arranged to lock up the pivotal movement between the upperand lower post members 21, 22. Accordingly, the post locker 37 comprisesa locking slot 371 provided at the lower post member 22 and a lockinglatch 372 provided at the upper post member 21, such that when the upperand lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved to engage the engagingtongue 31 with the engaging groove 32, i.e. the additional engagingtongue 34 engaged with the additional engaging groove 35 at the sametime, the locking latch 372 is actuated to engage with the locking slot371 to retain the upper and lower post members 21, 22 to be coupled witheach other end-to-end. In addition, the post joint 30 further comprisesa guiding slot 373 provided at the upper post member 21 to align withthe locking slot 371, wherein the locking latch 372 is guided by theguiding slot 373 to slidably actuate to selectively lock up with thelocking slot 371. Preferably, the locking latch 372 is a spring-loadeddevice to push the locking latch 372 to the locking slot 317. In otherword, when the locking latch 372 is slidably pulled along the guidingslot 373 until a free end of the locking latch 372 is disengaged withthe locking slot 371, the upper and lower post members 21, 22 arecapable of being pivotally moved via the pivot hinge 33. Once the upperand lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved to engage the engagingtongue 31 with the engaging groove 32, the locking latch 372 is slidablypushed until the free end of the locking latch 372 is engaged with thelocking slot 371 to lock up the pivotal movement between the upper andlower post members 21, 22. Accordingly, the guiding slot 373 and thelocking slot 371 are formed at the coupling sleeves 36 respectively. Inaddition, the pivot hinge 33 is formed one side edge of the couplingsleeve 36 and the post locker 37 is formed at an opposed side edge ofthe coupling sleeve 36.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrates an alternative mode of the post joint 30Awhich comprises a first means provided at the upper post member 21 and asecond means provided at the lower post member 22 to interlock the upperand lower post members 21, 22 with each other. In particular, the postjoint 30A comprises a first engaging tongue 31A extended from the endportion of the upper post member 21, a second engaging tongue 34Aextended from the end position of the lower post member 22, and a pivothinge 33A pivotally coupled the upper and lower post members 21, 22,such that when the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotallymoved to engage the first engaging tongue 31A with the lower post member22 and to engage the second engaging tongue 34A with the upper postmember 21, as shown in FIG. 7A, the upper and lower post members 21, 22are interlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end to form thefoldable post 20. The upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotallyfolded via the pivot hinge 33A, as shown in FIG. 7B, the upper and lowerpost members 21, 22 can be pivotally folded side-by-side. In otherwords, the first and second means are the first and second engagingtongues 31A, 34A to form the interlocking unit to interlock the upperand lower post members 21, 22 with each other.

Accordingly, the first engaging tongue 31A is extended from one of thefirst and second post walls 211, 212 of the upper post member 21 and thesecond engaging tongue 34A is extended from one of the first and secondpost walls 221, 222 of the lower post member 22. Preferably, the firstand second engaging tongue 31A, 34A are extended from the second postwalls 212, 222 of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 respectively.In addition, the first engaging tongue 31A is extended from the outerside of the upper post member 21 and the second engaging tongue 34A isextended from the inner side of the lower post member 22, such that whenthe upper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved end-to-end,as shown in FIG. 7A, the first engaging tongue 31A is engaged with theouter side of the lower post member 22 while the second engaging tongue34A is engaged with the inner side of the upper post member 21, so as tointerlock the upper and lower post members 21, 22 with each other. It isworth mentioning that the first and second engaging tongues 31A, 34Aform a slot therebetween to receive the end portions of the upper andlower post members 21, 22 when the upper and lower post members 21, 22are pivotally moved end-to-end.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the post joint 30A further comprises twocoupling sleeves 36A coupling with the end portions of the upper andlower post members respectively, wherein the pivot hinge 33A is formedbetween the coupling sleeves 36A to pivotally couple the upper and lowerpost members 21, 22. Accordingly, one of the coupling sleeves 36A iscoupled at the outer side of the upper post member 21, wherein a portionof the coupling sleeve 36A is upwardly extended out of the end portionof the upper post member 21 to form the first engaging tongue 31A. Theother coupling sleeve 36A is coupled at the inner side of the lower postmember 22, wherein a portion of the coupling sleeve 36A is downwardlyextended out of the end portion of the lower post member 22 to form thesecond engaging tongue 34A.

According to the preferred embodiment, one of the coupling sleeve 36Acomprises an outer sleeve 363A coupled at the outer side of the upperpost member 21. The outer sleeve 363A has two outer sleeve portions3631A, 3632A coupled at the outer sides of the first and second postwalls 211, 212 of the upper post member 21 respectively. The othercoupling sleeve 36A comprises an inner sleeve 361A coupled at the innerside of the lower post member 22. The inner sleeve 361A has two innersleeve portions 3611A, 3612A coupled at the inner sides of the first andsecond post walls 221, 222 of the lower post member 21 respectively.Preferably, the coupling sleeves 36A are securely affixed to the endportions of the upper and lower post members 21, 22 by welding to ensurethe secure engagement of the post joint 30A to the upper and lower postmembers 21

The pivot hinge 33A is pivotally coupled one of the outer sleeveportions 3631A with one of the inner sleeve portions 3611A at the edgesthereof. In particular, the first and second engaging tongues 31A, 34Aare extended from the other outer sleeve portions 3632A and the innersleeve portion 3612A respectively.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the post joint 30A further comprises a post locker37A for releasebly locking the end-to-end interlocking of the upper andlower post members 21, 22. In particular, the post locker 37A isarranged to lock up the pivotal movement between the upper and lowerpost members 21A, 22A. Accordingly, the post locker 37A comprises alocking slot 371A provided at the lower post member 22 and a lockinglatch 372A provided at the upper post member 21, such that when theupper and lower post members 21, 22 are pivotally moved to interlockwith each other via the first and second engaging tongues 31A, 34A, thelocking latch 372A is actuated to engage with the locking slot 371A toretain the upper and lower post members 21, 22 to be coupled with eachother end-to-end.

In addition, the post joint 30A further comprises a guiding slot 373Aprovided at the upper post member 21 to align with the locking slot371A, wherein the locking latch 372A is guided by the guiding slot 373Ato slidably actuate to selectively lock up with the locking slot 371A.Preferably, the locking latch 372A is a spring-loaded device to push thelocking latch 372A to the locking slot 317A. In other word, when thelocking latch 372A is slidably pulled along the guiding slot 373A untila free end of the locking latch 372A is disengaged with the locking slot371A, the upper and lower post members 21, 22 are capable of beingpivotally moved via the pivot hinge 33A. Once the upper and lower postmembers 21, 22 are pivotally moved to interlock with each other via thefirst and second engaging tongues 31A, 34A, the locking latch 372A isslidably pushed until the free end of the locking latch 372A is engagedwith the locking slot 371A to lock up the pivotal movement between theupper and lower post members 21, 22. Accordingly, the guiding slot 373Aand the locking slot 371A are formed at the coupling sleeves 36Arespectively. In addition, the pivot hinge 33A is formed one side edgeof the coupling sleeve 36A and the post locker 37A is formed at anopposed side edge of the coupling sleeve 36A. It is worth mentioningthat the guiding slot 373A and the locking slot 371A are formed at theouter sleeve portions 3632A and the inner sleeve portion 3612A at theedges thereof respectively.

It is worth mentioning that the shelving apparatus of the instantinvention can be easily set up by pivotally folding the post members 21,22 via the post joint 30 end-to-end, as shown in FIG. 6A, to form thefoldable posts 20 and by coupling the supporting frame 10 to thefoldable posts 20 to form a completed shelving unit. Once the postmembers 21, 22 are pivotally folded end-to-end, the tongue-and-grooveengagement provided by the post joint 30 will ensure the post members21, 22 to be coupled with each other end-to-end so as to ensure therigidity of the foldable post 20. For disassembling the shelvingapparatus of the instant invention, the user is able to easily detachthe supporting frame 10 from the foldable posts 20, and is able topivotally fold the post members 21, 22 side-by-side via the post joint30 as shown in FIG. 6B, to minimize the overall length of each of thefoldable posts 20. It is worth mentioning that the post joint 30 isremained attached to two end portions of the post members 21, 22 whenthe post members 21, 22 are folded side-by-side so as to prevent anymisplacement of the component or missing thereof when the shelvingapparatus is dissembled. When the post members 21, 22 are foldedside-by-side to form a folded post, a length of the folded post is equalor lesser than a length of the shelf retaining member 12 which forms thefront or rear boundary for minimizing the packaging size of the shelvingapparatus.

As shown in FIG. 8, a shelving apparatus according to a secondembodiment illustrates an alternative mode of the first embodiment,wherein the structural configuration of the shelving apparatus of thesecond embodiment is the modification of the first embodiment.Accordingly, the upper and lower post members 21D, 22D of the foldablepost 20D of the second embodiment are modifications of the upper andlower post members 21, 22 of the foldable post 20 of the firstembodiment, wherein the upper and lower post members 21D, 22D arepivotally coupled via the pivot hinge 33.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, a plurality of keyholes 23D are alignedlyformed on the first post wall 211D, 221D and the second post wall 212D,222D of each of the upper and lower post members 21D, 22D. Each of thekeyholes 23D has an upper hole portion 231D and a lower hole portion232D, wherein a size of the upper hole portion 231D is larger than asize of the lower hole portion 232D. Each of the upper and lower postmembers 21D, 22D further comprises a plurality of keyhole covers 233Dintegrally and outwardly protruded from the outer side of each of thefirst post wall 211D, 221D and the second post wall 212D, 222D. Inparticular, each of the keyhole covers 233D is integrally extended topartially cover the upper hole portion 231D of each of the keyholes 23Dat the outer side of the post members 21D, 22D while the lower holeportion 232D of each of the keyholes 23D is uncovered. The shape andsize of the keyhole cover 233D is configured according to the shape andsize of the upper hole portion 231D of the keyhole 23D. In order to formthe keyhole covers 233D, each of the upper and lower post members 21D,22D is punched at the inner side thereof via a punching machine to bendthe keyhole covers 233D out from the outer side of each of the upper andthe lower post members 21D, 22D.

As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, each of the shelf retaining members 12D has aplanar structure to have the first and second longitudinal edges 121D,122D extended parallel with each other, wherein two ends of each of theshelf retaining members 12D are detachably engaged with keyholes 23D ofthe two foldable posts 20D. Accordingly, two fasteners 123D are providedat each coupling end 120D of the shelf retaining member 12D to engagewith two keyholes 23D of the corresponding foldable post 20D. Inparticular, two fastener holes are formed at each coupling end of theshelf retaining member 12D, wherein the two fasteners 123D are affixedto a vertical beam wall 124D of the shelf retaining member 12D via thefastener holes respectively. According to the preferred embodiment, eachof the fasteners 123D is riveted to the respective coupling end 120D ofthe shelf retaining member 12D and has a head 123D1 having a size largerthan the lower hold portion 232D and slightly smaller than the upperhole portion 231D so as to fittingly inserted through the upper holeportion 231D while guiding by the keyhole cover 233D not to prevent thehead 123D1 from over inserting and to guide a neck 1232D, protrudedbetween the head 123D1 and the shelf retaining member 12D and having asize smaller than the head 123D1, to slide into the lower hole portion232D of the corresponding keyhole 23D from the upper hole portion 231D,so as to securely couple the shelf retaining member 12D at the postmember 21D of the foldable post 20D.

It is worth mentioning that when the fastener 123D is inserted into theupper hole portion 231D of the keyhole 23D, as shown in FIG. 9A, thefastener 123D is blocked by the respective keyhole cover 233D to ensurethe engagement between the fastener 123D and the keyhole 23D. Therefore,the fastener 123D can be correctly slid to the lower hole portion 232Dfrom the upper hole portion 231D, so as to securely couple the shelfretaining member 12D at the foldable post 20D. In addition, since thefastener 123D is slid at the lower hole portion 232D of the keyhole 23D,a portion of the fastener 123D, such as the head 1231D, can be coveredand protected by the keyhole cover 233D to protect the fastener 123Dfrom being damaged by any external force at the outer side of each ofthe upper and the lower post members 21D, 22D.

It is worth mentioning that the shelf platform 11D of the supportingframe 10D is reversibly supported by a supporting surface 132D of thetop beam wall 131D of the shelf retaining member 12D at a first positionand a reversibly second position to selectively adjust a depth of theshelf platform 11D. At the first position, the base panel 112D of theshelf platform 11D is supported by the supporting surface 132D at aposition that the surrounding edge 111D of the shelf platform 11D islocated above the base panel 112D thereof to maximize the depth of theshelf platform 11D. At the second position, the base panel 112D of theshelf platform 11D is supported by the supporting surface 132D at aposition that the surrounding edge 111D of the shelf platform 11D islocated below the base panel 112D thereof to minimize the depth of theshelf platform 11D.

It is worth mentioning that the shelf platform 11D or the shelfretaining members 12D is reversibly supported at a first position and areversibly second position to selectively adjust a depth of the shelfplatform 11D. The structural configuration of the shelf platform 11D andthe shelf retaining members 12D are the same as the above mentionedembodiments. As shown in FIG. 8, the top level of the shelf apparatus isshown that the shelf retaining members 12D form a boundary frame for theshelf platform 11D while the second to bottom levels of the shelfapparatus are shown that the shelf retaining members 12D form aboundary-less frame for the shelf platform 11D.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A post arrangement for a shelving apparatus whichcomprises a supporting frame, comprising: a plurality of foldable postsfor detachably coupling with the supporting frame to form the shelvingapparatus, each of said foldable posts comprising at least an upper postmember, at least a lower post member, and at least a post jointconnecting said upper and lower post members to form said respectivefoldable post such that said upper and lower post members are capable ofbeing selectively unfolded and extended rigidly in an end-to-end andvertically oriented manner and folded pivotally in a side-by-sidemanner, wherein each of said upper and lower post members has a firstpost wall and a second post wall extended from said first wall at anangle, wherein said post joint provides an interlock unit thatinterlocks upper and lower post members with each other end-to-end, anda pivot hinge pivotally coupled to said second post walls of said upperand lower post members, wherein when said upper and lower post membersare pivotally moved end-to-end, said upper and lower post members areinterlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end.
 2. The postarrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said interlock unitcomprises an engaging tongue extended from an end portion of said firstpost wall of said upper post member and an engaging groove provided atan end portion of said first post wall of said lower post member,wherein when said upper and lower post members are pivotally moved toengage said engaging tongue with said engaging groove, said upper andlower post members are interlocked and coupled with each otherend-to-end.
 3. The post arrangement, as recited in claim 2, wherein saidpost joint further comprises an additional engaging groove extended froman end portion of said second post wall of said upper post memberadjacent to said engaging tongue thereof, and an additional engagingtongue provided at an end portion of said second post wall of said lowerpost member adjacent to said engaging groove thereof, such that whensaid upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage saidadditional engaging tongue with said additional engaging groove, saidupper and lower post members are coupled with each other end-to-end. 4.The post arrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said post joint ofeach of said foldable posts further comprises two coupling sleevescoupling with said end portions of said upper and lower post membersrespectively, wherein said pivot hinge is formed between said couplingsleeves to pivotally couple said upper and lower post members.
 5. Thepost arrangement, as recited in claim 2, wherein said post joint furthercomprises two coupling sleeves coupling with said end portions of saidupper and lower post members respectively, wherein said pivot hinge isformed between said coupling sleeves to pivotally couple said upper andlower post members.
 6. The post arrangement, as recited in claim 1,wherein said post joint further comprises two coupling sleeves couplingwith end portions of said upper and lower post members respectively,wherein said pivot hinge is formed between said coupling sleeves topivotally couple said upper and lower post members.
 7. The postarrangement, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a post locker forreleaseably locking the interlocking of said upper and lower postmembers, wherein said post locker comprises a locking slot provided atsaid lower post member and a locking latch provided at said upper postmember, such that when said upper and lower post members are pivotallymoved end-to-end, said locking latch is actuated to engage with saidlocking slot to retain said upper and lower post members to be coupledwith each other end-to-end.
 8. The post arrangement, as recited in claim2, further comprising a post locker for releaseably locking theinterlocking of said upper and lower post members, wherein said postlocker comprises a locking slot provided at said lower post member and alocking latch provided at said upper post member, such that when saidupper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage said engagingtongue with said engaging groove, said locking latch is actuated toengage with said locking slot to retain said upper and lower postmembers to be coupled with each other end-to-end.
 9. The postarrangement, as recited in claim 6, further comprising a post locker forreleaseably locking the interlocking of said upper and lower postmembers, wherein said post locker comprises a locking slot provided atsaid lower post member and a locking latch provided at said upper postmember, wherein said interlock unit comprises an engaging tongueextended from said end portion of said first post wall of said upperpost member and an engaging groove provided at said end portion of saidfirst post wall of said lower post member, such that when said upper andlower post members are pivotally moved to engage said engaging tonguewith said engaging groove, said locking latch is actuated to engage withsaid locking slot to retain said upper and lower post members to becoupled with each other end-to-end.
 10. The post arrangement, as recitedin claim 8, wherein said post locker further comprises a guiding slotprovided at said upper post member to align with said locking slot,wherein said locking latch is guided to slide at said guiding slot toselectively lock up with said locking slot.
 11. The post arrangement, asrecited in claim 9, wherein said post locker further comprises a guidingslot provided at said upper post member to align with said locking slot,wherein said locking latch is guided to slide at said guiding slot toselectively lock up with said locking slot.
 12. The post arrangement, asrecited in claim 11, wherein said guiding slot and said locking slot areformed at said coupling sleeves respectively.
 13. The post arrangement,as recited in claim 11, wherein said pivot hinge is formed at one sideedge of one of said coupling sleeves and said post locker is formed atan opposed side edge of another said coupling sleeve.
 14. The postarrangement, as recited in claim 6, wherein each of said foldable postshas a plurality of keyholes alignedly formed on said first post wall andsaid second post wall of each of said upper and lower post membersthereof, wherein each of said keyholes has a larger upper hole portion,a smaller lower hole portion and a keyhole cover integrally andoutwardly protruded from an outer side of said post walls to partiallycover said upper hole portion, wherein at least one of said keyholes isarranged for detachably coupling with a fastener of the supporting frameand for guiding the fastener of the supporting frame to be insertedthrough said upper hole portion and slid into said lower hole portion.15. The post arrangement, as recited in claim 9, wherein each of saidfoldable posts has a plurality of keyholes alignedly formed on saidfirst post wall and said second post wall of each of said upper andlower post members thereof, wherein each of said keyholes has a largerupper hole portion, a smaller lower hole portion and a keyhole coverintegrally and outwardly protruded from an outer side of said post wallsto partially cover said upper hole portion, wherein at least one of saidkeyholes is arranged for detachably coupling with a fastener of thesupporting frame and for guiding the fastener of the supporting frame tobe inserted through said upper hole portion and slid into said lowerhole portion.
 16. The post arrangement, as recited in claim 1, whereinsaid interlock unit comprises a first engaging tongue extended from anend portion of said upper post member and a second engaging tongueextended from an end position of said lower post member, such that whensaid upper and lower post members are pivotally moved to engage saidfirst engaging tongue with said lower post member and to engage saidsecond engaging tongue with said upper post member, said upper and lowerpost members are interlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end. 17.The post arrangement, as recited in claim 6, wherein said interlock unitcomprises a first engaging tongue extended from an end portion of saidupper post member and a second engaging tongue extended from an endposition of said lower post member, such that when said upper and lowerpost members are pivotally moved to engage said first engaging tonguewith said lower post member and to engage said second engaging tonguewith said upper post member, said upper and lower post members areinterlocked and coupled with each other end-to-end.
 18. The postarrangement, as recited in claim 16, wherein said post joint furthercomprises two coupling sleeves coupling with said end portions of saidupper and lower post members respectively, wherein said pivot hinge isformed between said coupling sleeves to pivotally couple said upper andlower post members.
 19. The post arrangement, as recited in claim 16,further comprising a post locker for releaseably locking said upper andlower post members, wherein said post locker comprises a locking slotprovided at said lower post member and a locking latch provided at saidupper post member, such that when said upper and lower post members arepivotally moved to interlock with each other via said first and secondengaging tongues, said locking latch is actuated to engage with saidlocking slot to retain said upper and lower post members to be coupledwith each other end-to-end.
 20. The post arrangement, as recited inclaim 17, further comprising a post locker for releaseably locking saidupper and lower post members, wherein said post locker comprises alocking slot provided at said lower post member and a locking latchprovided at said upper post member, such that when said upper and lowerpost members are pivotally moved to interlock with each other via saidfirst and second engaging tongues, said locking latch is actuated toengage with said locking slot to retain said upper and lower postmembers to be coupled with each other end-to-end.
 21. The postarrangement, as recited in claim 18, wherein said post locker furthercomprises a guiding slot provided at said upper post member to alignwith said locking slot, wherein said locking latch is guided to slide atsaid guiding slot to selectively lock up with said locking slot.
 22. Thepost arrangement, as recited in claim 19, wherein said post lockerfurther comprises a guiding slot provided at said upper post member toalign with said locking slot, wherein said locking latch is guided toslide at said guiding slot to selectively lock up with said lockingslot.
 23. The post arrangement, as recited in claim 21, wherein saidguiding slot and said locking slot are formed at said coupling sleevesrespectively.
 24. The post arrangement, as recited in claim 21, whereinsaid pivot hinge is formed at one side edge of one of said couplingsleeves and said post locker is formed at an opposed side edge ofanother said coupling sleeve.
 25. The post arrangement, as recited inclaim 16, wherein each of said foldable posts has a plurality ofkeyholes alignedly formed on said first post wall and said second postwall of each of said upper and lower post members thereof, wherein eachof said keyholes has a larger upper hole portion, a smaller lower holeportion and a keyhole cover integrally and outwardly protruded from anouter side of said post walls to partially cover said upper holeportion, wherein at least one of said keyholes is arranged fordetachably coupling with a fastener of the supporting frame and forguiding the fastener of the supporting frame to be inserted through saidupper hole portion and slid into said lower hole portion.
 26. The postarrangement, as recited in claim 17, wherein each of said foldable postshas a plurality of keyholes alignedly formed on said first post wall andsaid second post wall of each of said upper and lower post membersthereof, wherein each of said keyholes has a larger upper hole portion,a smaller lower hole portion and a keyhole cover integrally andoutwardly protruded from an outer side of said post walls to partiallycover said upper hole portion, wherein at least one of said keyholes isarranged for detachably coupling with a fastener of the supporting frameand for guiding the fastener of the supporting frame to be insertedthrough said upper hole portion and slid into said lower hole portion.